In the Rev. Wm. Thomas’s letter will be found a grateful reference to the Committee of the Tract Society, and to a parcel which he has received from England, containing many useful articles for the children of the schools. And the Secretary begs to acknowledge the receipt of a number of “Magazines for Ireland,” from a female friend at Hammersmith.
Extract of a letter from Rev. S. Davis
to the Secretary.
Clonmel, Nov. 21, 1834.
We are in the Lord’s hands, and he will finally accomplish the purposes of his own glory, and I am persuaded we cannot do better than steadily to pursue the purpose in which we are engaged, to make the people acquainted, as far as it is in our power, with the Holy Scriptures, which will undermine the power of Antichrist, and promote happiness in proportion as they obtain an access to the heart.
My son, at Ardee, recently assisted in the public examination of 400 adults in their knowledge of the Irish Scriptures, and he has given a very interesting account of the meeting in the last Quarterly Papers of the Irish Society. He was astonished and delighted to think, as I do also, that the teaching of the people in the Irish Scriptures, is one of the most important benefits that can be conferred upon the country.
Our Society has had the honour to take the lead in this respect; and, however we may be looked down upon, and whatever may become of the institution, I have no doubt it has been a greater benefit to the country than words can express; it is a pity, therefore, that it should not be in more prosperous circumstances, and that your hands should not be held up more by those who have it in their power to afford us assistance; but when we have done what we could do we cannot reproach ourselves, and we must leave the event with Him who will appreciate our good intentions, and forgive all our infirmities.
S. Davis.
Rev. W. Thomas to the Secretary.
Limerick, Nov. 21, 1834.